CRITICAL BOOK ANALYSIS PAPER: Burro Genius (Author: Victor Villasenor)
Option A
Your similarity rate should not exceed 25%. This must be your work! You may not use AI or any other aids other
than the assigned book!! Plagiarism will result in a grade of 0/F and may result in reporting you for academic
dishonesty!
Format:
1. Essay format; minimum of 6 FULL pages in length. Failure to adhere to the minimum number of pages required
will result in a 15 point per page deduction. Papers less than 3 FULL PAGES in length will not be read and will
receive an automatic grade of 0/F.
2. You MUST include an introductory statement (a paragraph or two in length) which includes a THESIS
STATEMENT that explains what you will be discussing in your paper.
3. Your paper must be typed, double spaced only throughout the paper. No “creative” spacing will be accepted. To
begin a new paragraph, simply indent.
4. Font size – NO LARGER THAN 12 Point.
5. Citations – you MUST use MLA formatted citations. Failure to cite sources of information used in your paper is
plagiarism, which is UNACCEPTABLE and will result in a grade of 0/F! All work submitted must be your
original work! **YOUR SIMILARITY RATE SHOULD NOT EXCEED 25% ON THE PLAGIARISM
CHECKER**
6. Sources – You MUST use the book, Burro Genius; however, in addition to Burro Genius, you may also use
information from the items on the “Approved Sources” list.
7. You must include a “Works Cited” page, which is NOT included in the 6 FULL page minimum requirement. All
sources used in writing your paper MUST be properly listed in the “Works Cited.”
Assignment: In a 6 FULL PAGE MINIMUM ESSAY, critically analyze and respond to the following: Burro
Genius by Victor Villaseñor, is an autobiographical work which relates the various transformations that take place
in his life. In an essay, respond to the following questions:
1) What is Victor’s home life like?
2) What are the specific problems and dilemmas Victor encounters outside the home?
3) What obstacles must Victor overcome?
4) Is Victor’s life typical or atypical of other Chicanos discussed in the book? Explain in detail and give examples.
5) In terms of gender roles: what are the expectations of men and women discussed in the book?
6) How are non-Chicanas/Chicanos portrayed in the book?
7) Ultimately, what factors or people influence or play the biggest role(s) in Victors’s life and in decisions he makes
regarding his life?
8) What have you learned from reading Victor’s book?
9) BE SPECIFIC! Use examples from the book in response to any/all of the above questions. The more details you
include, the better your grade!
**Please note: you MUST provide evidence from the book to support whatever answers you provide in your essay. What
statements from the book support your position? In order to get the maximum points possible, facts (quotes/evidence
from the book) are required. You may use additional “Approved Sources;” however, Burro Genius must be your primary
source of information used for analysis. ALL sources used must be properly cited**
